Cairo, AL deny proposing alternative to Amr Moussa

Well-informed sources in the Egyptian foreign ministry and the Arab league denied that any names are being proposed by any Arab state to stand as a rival for the current secretary general of the Arab League Amr Moussa or as a substitute for him in the coming period.

The sources also denied what was rumored that there are problems between the AL chief with any Arab state, even with occupied Iraq, as recently stated that there are differences with Iraq and Moussa as a result of his position towards what was stated in the new Iraqi constitution on the "Arab identity" of Iraq. The sources stressed that the issue of "renewal for the AL secretary general for a second term of office was not discussed by any country and will not happen officially until March 2006 in the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers and preparations for the summit."

The source indicated the consensus from all Arab states including those states who had differences with the AL chief including UAE, Kuwait and Algeria on commending the efficiency and performance of Moussa since he had assumed his post on May 15, 2001.